In 2008, as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police grappled with a public-relations crisis involving misspent pension funds, one officer in particular came in for harsh public scrutiny. That never should have happened, and it is time to restore the woman’s reputation.
Parliament was investigating reports, originally printed in the National Post, that millions of dollars of pension contributions had been wrongfully spent, and that senior RCMP officers had been trying to cover it up. The affair featured senior Mounties accusing each other of serious acts of misconduct.
One, Deputy Commissioner Barbara George, was accused by several colleagues of providing false testimony to parliament’s public expenditures committee — in other words, perjury. Despite repeatedly professing her innocence, the committee members were unmoved, and recommended that Ms. George be found in contempt of parliament. The motion was passed unanimously without debate, effectively destroying Ms. George’s until-then highly successful career. Unable to continue in her duties as a Mountie after having been found in contempt by the legislature, Ms. George resigned, still professing her innocence. Two separate investigations subsequently found that Ms. George had done no wrong, but it was too late. Parliament had spoken. Her career was ruined.
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So that’s it? Forced to endure years of emotional hell and all that is required is to say ‘sorry’? A flippin apology! She deserves one hell of a lot more than that. The fact of the matter is that the completely unjustified and total destruction of a person’s reputation and the severe emotional trauma that naturally results can never be fully repaired or repaid for that matter. I have absolutely no doubt that this character assassination will negatively impact Barbara emotionaly and/or even health wise for the rest of her life in some fashion. How severly is yet to be determined but affect her it will. But what would help would be for the leaders of this pack of jackals to get taken to task via severe penalites from demotion to firing and that includes politicions. “I’m sorry” just doesn’t cut it, not even close. Next, financial compensation paid to Barbara for what it is worth because frankly no matter the amount it won’t be enough but what else is there?
Somewhat agreed, BTDT. I’m not certain how Barb feels about all this but my thinking is that a formal government apology followed by full reinstatement to her former job with all back pay owed if she wants that might be a good start.
I doubt she is much interested in penalizing the taxpayer by way of a multi-million dollar “payout”. She’s never struck me that way.
I will add this: If she is reinstated she may be invaluable to the new Commissioner (and by extension the government) because she has been through, in her words “hell”, and has had much time to consider how to fix things. If I were Harper I would order exactly that “with her agreement”. I think she still has much to offer the Canadian people regarding bringing the RCMP into the 21st century and that idea should not be discounted.
Finally, I “note” that Barb has had an enforced education of life in the trench’s for the average RCMP officer. She knows where the skeletons are buried and you can take this to the bank.
She is not a “happy camper”. “Ditto” the troops.
If reinstated she will be like that “old hound dog” out in the back yard. Digging them all up and exposing them for what they are. It would be a fitting end to her career. Something to be very proud of.
“Something” for the RCMP to be very proud of and in complete accordance with their traditions.
My personal view: I would reinstate her and turn her loose if I were Harper. Many screams will be heard from the left and some within the RCMP.
My reply: “What’s your point? She’s been cleared.”
Barbara states that for years she suffered (sounding like debilitating) stress on a level that would be unimaginable to most. Stress does not turn on and off like a light switch. Especially this level of stress. This acquittal does not change the fact that her journey in hell is far from over. A proud, loyal and honorable person who was completely innocent. As far as reinstatement (if offered), she just might feel strongly inclined to tell them to stick it where the sun doesn’t . I think I would. A lot of things can be forgiven, but never betrayal and betrayed she was. All else aside in Barbara’s case there is no forgiveness IMO for those who have for whatever reasons unquestionably increased her chances of one day having to face life shortening/ending health issues. No apology will ever suffice. Financial compensation now will provide for her family in the future should the worst outcome come to pass.
“Research has found that the risk factors for health caused by chronic stress causes as much as 60 to 90% of all illnesses. Physical symptoms include damage to the cardiovascular system, and even affect the immune system.
This compromises your body’s ability to fight infection and disease.
There is a virtually unending list of medical conditions that are attributed to the effects of stress including but not exclusive to: Chronic unexplained pain, High blood pressure, Ulcer, Heartburn, Migraine, Heart disease, Asthma, PMS, Diabetes, Obesity, Infertility, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Autoimmune Diseases, and Skin problems.”
I wonder who will get a greater settlement – Ms. George or poor little Omar? Hmmm…
Didn’t the last creep (forgot his name) the guy that spent time in Syria being ‘tortured’ score 10 million or thereabouts? (Still haven’t seen his scars!)